Members of Parliament have initiated an inquiry into claims of fraudulent transfer concerning a 1.5-acre parcel on Nairobi's Lenana Road. The land, which currently forms part of a Department of Defence complex, was allegedly transferred illegally in 1989 despite a court order prohibiting any dealings with the property.
The petitioner, identified as Mburu, presented evidence to the Departmental Committee on Lands, chaired by Kitutu Chache North MP Joash Nyamoko, asserting that the transfer deprived him of his rights to the land for nearly 40 years.
Mburu revealed his cooperation with a 2021 investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), during which he submitted key documentary evidence. The probe led to court orders compelling various institutions, including the Chief Land Registrar, Director of Surveys, Registrar of Companies, and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), to provide records related to the disputed parcel.
The investigation uncovered fraud within the land registry and the 1989 transactions, implicating public officials and recommending criminal charges against several individuals, including personnel from the Lands Registry and NSSF Board of Trustees.
Correspondence from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confirmed a valid sale agreement from 1968 between Rosita Chettyar and the late Abdul Raoof Sheikh, adding context to the land’s ownership history.
Mburu emphasized that he is not seeking to reclaim the land but requests compensation matching its current market value or allocation of alternative government land of equivalent worth. He also called on Parliament to develop legal frameworks to compensate victims of land fraud involving public officials.
Committee Chair Nyamoko assured the petitioner of the committee’s commitment to thoroughly pursue the case and ensure justice. Committee member Ali Wario urged swift action and requested clear timelines from the Ministry of Lands regarding implementation of investigative recommendations.
The hearing was adjourned after the Principal Secretary for Lands, Generali Nixon Korir, failed to appear. MPs resolved to summon the Ministry of Lands, EACC, DCI, and other relevant agencies to explain the prolonged delay in resolving the matter, which has persisted for over three decades.
